kfarcenter.com Blog

Biglal Avos

Shlomo Katz was born into a family of musicians that includes his father, master musician and chazzan, Avshalom Katz. Raised in Raanana, Israel, he is a prolific composer of beautiful music, both solo and in collaboration with his brother, Eitan, Yehuda Solomon and Chaim David. The Torah and music of Reb Shlomo Carlebach zt”l has inspired and strengthened Shlomo throughout his young career. He was the lead Baal Tefilah and spiritual guide in the Carlebach Minyan of Beth Jacob of Beverly Hills. He developed an early following at Thursday night classes on Chassidut that averaged 50 students. The highlight of Shlomo’s life was when together with his father Avshalom and brother Eitan, he recorded his first CD: “Eilecha: Avshalom Katz Presents: Shlomo and Eitan” to a resounding success. Since the release of the CD, Shlomo has conducted numerous concert tours including Argentina, Costa Rica, Australia and Belguim. His second CD, entitled “BIGLAL AVOS” sold out its first three pressings. Shlomo has just released his third album, “Vehakohanim” and recently earned smicha from Yeshivat HaMivtar in Efrat under Rosh HaYeshiva, Rav Chaim Brovender. He continues to tour and perform throughout Israel, Europe, Australia and United States. His performances lift the crowd to heights, leaving one moved, inspired, transformed and hungry for more.

Asher Bara
Biglal Avos
Chemdas
Ka Ribon

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Aharit HaYamim is an Israeli reggae, dub and ska sensation whose groove and sensibility is rooted in a Messianic longing and a love of Zion they share with their Rastafarian brethren. With a post-Carlebach Jewish folk flavor, they proclain their love for “Yerushalayim” and “Holy Mount Zion” with tight four-part harmonies, layered over thumping basslines, lush arrangements and extended play instrumentals.

Their brand of world-beat reggae focuses on messiah and redemption, “but it’s a redemption with everybody else; it’s about bringing the nation of Israel together.” Famed perfomer Matisyahu, hearing their music as he walked by a Jerusalem cafe performance, jumped onstage and performed an impropmtu set. Aharit HaYamim (Hebrew for End of Days) is far more than a band “it is a full-fledged grassroots movement” made up of disillusioned children of Oslo looking for an out, post-Carlebach jam band fans, Phisheads and the Haredi/Hippie Hilltop youth.

How does one join this movement? “You don’t need to,” says Leuchter. “Everyone is already a member. Aharit Hayamim is just here to wake you up and spread the message of unity, love and Israel.” Wearing brightly colored, home-sewn, hemp clothing, replete with tzitzit, ritual fringes, Aharit HaYamim delivers a heady musical mix perfect for party people or spiritual seekers. Their hope is that during their concert- these become one in the same as they hasten and celebrate the coming of Moshiach.

Ein Yeosh
Kum Lach Adam
Aharit Hayamim
Areyut Yehuda
Yerushalayim
Lo Lefached
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Ani Maamim

Oneg Shemesh grew up in Israel on Moshav Mevo Modiim founded by the late Rebbe Shlomo Carlebach, Z”L. He had the great privilege of spending much time with the Rebbe, accompanying him on guitar and drawing from his wealth of knowledge. After finishing his army career, Oneg joined The Moshav Band and toured with them throughout Israel, the United States and Canada. He presently lives in New York and has been performing concerts wherever Jews are found, bringing joy and happiness to communities around the world while trying to live up to his name ONEG which means utmost joy.

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Hailing from Israel, Reva L’Sheva (Quarter to Seven) combines a world-beat style with melodies and traditional Hebrew texts used by the late Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach. Like many of his generation, found Yehuda Katz followed The Grateful Dead, an influence still obvious in his music. The band’s universal and jamming approach has seen them perform with Arab bands, at a memorial for Yitzhak Rabin and even in Hebron. An Isreali favorite for over ten years!

Shalom v’Reut
Am Yisreal Chai

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Old City Jewish Quarter resident Chaim Dovid Sarachik has been touching the souls of the Jewish world with his music for over 20 years. Originally from South Africa, Chaim Dovid came to Israel at the behest of his rebbe, Rav Shlomo Carlebach z”l and has been continuing Rav Shlomo’s legacy of combining music and neshama ever since. His small stature, quiet demeanor and gentle, almost fragile voice mask a spirit and fervor that surprises most who see him, but it is his folksy, moving and earnest performances that have made him a star in his own right. While his connection to his Rebbe is immutable, Chaim David has penned numerous songs of his own, simple in melody and nuanced in lyric, that are easily learned, joyously sung by thousands and an uplifting experience whenever they are heard.

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Medley